Saudi ban on gay foreigners heightens clash of cultures

An organization of gay, lesbian, bisexuals and transgender Filipinos on Thursday expressed sadness over Saudi Arabia's new policy against the recruitment of homosexuals, saying it focuses on workers' sexual orientations instead of their capabilities. The new ban imposed by Saudi Arabia has highlighted the clash of cultures with societies like the Philippines, which is famously tolerant of gay and lesbian lifestyles. In an interview on GMA Network's Unang Hirit, Ang Ladlad incoming chair Bemz Benedicto said the conservative Middle Eastern nation's new order smacked of discrimination and deprived homosexuals of the right to livelihood. "Kami ay nagimbal dahil ito talaga ay diskriminasyon, dahil ang karapatan na makapamuhay, the right to earn the right to livelihood ay hind na naman matutupad. Kaya kami ay nalulungkot," Benedicto said. (We were shocked because this is discrimination. This deprives us of our right to earn and the right to livelihood, that's why we are sad.) After obtaining a Supreme Court decision overturning its disqualification by Comelec, Ang Ladlad ran as a party-list group during the recent May 10 automated polls, but did not garner enough votes to be represented in Congress. Last month, the Saudi government announced a ban on the recruitment of gay and lesbian workers, including those from other countries. [See: Saudi govt goes tough on gay, lesbian workers] In a memorandum issued May 26, the consular section of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, reminded recruitment agencies in Manila to be stricter in screening job applicants. It did not however propose ways for recruiters to determine if a job applicant was gay or how the government will detect sexual orientation once he or she is in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government follows Shari’ah or Islamic law, which strictly prohibits open displays of homosexual behavior. That’s a formula for tension with the large community of foreign workers within its borders from countries with liberal attitudes towards gays. The Philippines in particular is known for the cultural influence and flamboyant lifestyles of many gays.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV On Thursday, Benedicto said Ang Ladlad members and other Filipino homosexuals employed in Saudi Arabia, mostly as drivers and factory workers, are aware of Shari’ah law and follow it. Several Filipino gays have been arrested and punished for violating the law. At a "gay pageant" in celebration of Philippine Independence Day in June 2009, for instance, 72 Filipino gays were arrested for dressing up as women. They were released after three days. [See: 72 Filipino men detained in KSA for gay behavior] Arresting officers found the Filipinos wearing wigs and drinking alcoholic beverages, which is also a crime in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities usually impose penalties such as fines, imprisonment, and caning. Gays caught wearing even just one article of women’s clothing could face three to six months imprisonment, and suffer between 50 and 100 lashes with a rattan stick. In extreme cases, such as when the Saudi government feels that homosexuals are challenging state authority, the maximum punishment for the act is public execution. Prior to the June 2009 incident, vice consul Roussel Reyes of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said nearly 50 other Filipinos have been arrested and jailed for similar violations. Appeal to defend gay rights Shocked by the apparent cruelty of the new rule, Benedicto said the Philippine foreign affairs and labor departments should defend Filipino homosexuals' rights. "Sana ang Department of Foreign Affairs huwag maging silent dito, at ang DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment)," he said. But Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said that while his department respects homosexuals' preferences, his department has to follow Saudi Arabian culture and policies. He likewise reminded Filipino homosexuals in Saudi to avoid excessive public displays of affection and other actions that might anger the Saudi government. "Bawal ang openly na kayo ay naghaharutan at may ginagawa na labag sa kanilang kultura. I remember a year ago, may pinauwi kasi sobra ang kanilang public display... Minsan may nagpa-party na sobrang ingay," Roque said in the same Unang Hirit interview. (Openly flirting and other behavior prohibited by their culture are illegal. I remember a year ago, someone was sent back to the Philippines because of a public display of affection. Sometimes, there are those who party loudly.) — Sophia Dedace/RSJ/LBG/HS, GMANews.TV